Substitute judge to handle stalking charge against court clerk

Danville General District Judge Lee Stilwell has recused himself from hearing the case against Circuit Court Clerk Gerald Gibson.

According to the Register & Bee, Stilwell removed himself because Gibson is a constitutional officer, the two work in the same building and it would be inappropriate for Stilwell to preside over the case.

Police served a warrant on Gibson Thursday for a single offense of stalking, a Class 1 misdemeanor.

The Virginia Courts Web site lists Barbara Burkett as the person who filed the complaint. The date of the offense was listed as May 24.